D.C., Maryland and Virginia Politics

WTOP political commentator Mark Plotkin was online Tuesday, April 10, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss local politics.

The transcript follows.

Plotkin joined WTOP after 10 years as a political analyst for WAMU radio. He has been active in D.C. and national politics since attending George Washington University in the late '60s.

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Mt. Pleasant, D.C.: I've been wishing and hoping that Washington would pass a nutrition labeling requirement for restaurant menus. What are the chances this will happen? Do you think it'll take forever (like the smoking ban did)?

Mark Plotkin: I'm so glad you asked this question. I spoke to Council chair Vincent Gray on the Politics Program this past Friday 107.7/1500 AM and he came to the defense of Councilman David Catania who is the main culprit in this matter. The purported Chair of the "Health" Committee is adamantly against this essential consumer information. And Gray is backing him up. Catania did the same thing with the smoking bill. He blocked it never held hearings and did everything he could to block any movement on this essential health matter. It only moved in his committee when he had a personal feud with Carol Schwartz who also was against the bill. To spite Schwartz he all of a sudden moved the bill (quite a man of principle). I suggest you call Catania's office 202.724.8000 and ask the councilman why he won't even hold a hearing on the measure. Good luck. He refuses to meet with any of the real health groups to discuss this matter. When it comes to health matters, Catania is selectively out to lunch.

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Davidsonville, Md.: How ugly is the 2008 Maryland legislative session going to be if no new source of revenue magically opens up?

Mark Plotkin: The Governor just didn't want to get into these matters in his first year but he realizes that might not have been possible. Next year, taxes will be raised. Lou Simmons has said that a one cent sales tax increase would immediately bring in $600 million. The income tax is not off the table either because it too could raise a lot of money. I think the governor realizes that one or both will have to be raised and will first go around the state to try to get some consensus and sell his program first and foremost to Mike Miller and Mike Busch. If they agree then it will be easier to sell the program. By the way, the sales tax has not been increased in 30 years. Just to make you feel better I was in ILL. over the weekend and their sales tax is 9%. Slots also in some form I think will be approved. The Governor has said he doesn't mind them at race tracks.

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Ward 3, D.C.: Mark -- Here's an idea: Just this one chat, for this one day, let's stick to "local politics." Let's have no discussion GWU or why Georgetown doesn't care about the city, or John Thompson Jr.'s $400,000 contract. This isn't the local sports chat.

But if the two must intersect: Why in the name of fiscal decency did the D.C. Council hand more than $50 million to Abe Pollin to buy a new scoreboard? Jack Evans never has seen a corporate giveaway he didn't like. I work for D.C. government; I have to travel to a different floor in this building to find a photocopying machine that works. But Pollin gets a new scoreboard? The Council is a sickening cesspool of part-timers.

Mark Plotkin: I think Evans and all the council members except two voted for this. (The two who didn't were Schwartz and Mendelson), felt that Abe Pollin had been an extraordinary corporate citizen who genuinely cares about the city he grew up in and besides the sentiment this is a way of taxing suburban sports fans who are exempt from paying individual income tax if they work in the city. The ticket tax for baseball is 9.5% or 10% so they are just making this tax equal. Vince Gray's remarks that the Verizon Center has been the linchpin and prime engine for economic growth in that area, so it is a way of thanking Pollin and continuing economic prosperity in that area. Which means more tax dollars for DC. Dan Snyder should just wish he was a tenth of the person and sportsman that Abe Pollin is.

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Washington: In the Ward 4 Council race, most attention has been focused on Muriel Bowser and Michael Brown. However, in the 2004 school board race, Dwight Singleton ran against six opponents in the newly-formed District 2. He won 18 of the 20 precincts in Ward 4, picking up over 12,000 votes. He ultimately lost because he didn't get many votes from Ward 3 the other half of District 2). Do you think it is a mistake to overlook him in this election?

Mark Plotkin: It is a good point about Singleton because he does have name recognition. But every election is distinct. It depends on the office and who your opposition is. I must say that Singleton many times makes me cringe. He speaks in glorious platitudes and makes it difficult to take him seriously. But this is a democracy and the voters will form their own opinions.

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Wheaton, Md.: We've all been hearing about the escalating homicide rate, especially in Prince George's county. Aside from scapegoating nightclubs, is anything real being done?

Mark Plotkin: Melvin High is the Police Chief. He used to be an assistant Police Chief in DC and right before the PG job he was the Chief I believe in Norfolk, VA. He bears the ultimate responsibility as does the county executive Jack Johnson. I am not as familiar on this situation as I probably should be but the PG county Police Department has long been troubled and had less than a stellar reputation.

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Ardwick, Md.: I was pleasantly surprised by the Maryland General Assembly's approval of the statewide smoking ban, but wonder how it's going to play out on the Eastern Shore. I have a feeling enforcement is going to be somewhat lax in, say, Ocean City.

Mark Plotkin: A very keen observer of the local scene just recently said to me "I think it is interesting that Maryland passed this and Virginia did not." DC did so previously and it is wonderful to see all those smokers congregating outside these eating establishments being forced to puff away. What a relief for everybody who does not want to breathe those noxious fumes and especially the people who have to work there. The Maryland General Assembly did not make any exceptions. The only way you get around the ban is to plead economic hardship which hopefully will be difficult. In answer to your specific question about the Eastern Shore, Talbot County was one of the first to ban smoking. I think the other counties will abide by the law or be pointed out for enforcement. I think your instinct about Ocean City is probably right and there will be noticeable resentment.

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Germantown, Md.: Were there any freshmen stars from Maryland? What was the most interesting piece of legislation passed?

Mark Plotkin: I am a bit bias on this, but Jamin Raskin the State Senator from Takoma Park, is a brilliant legal scholar and in my mind the brightest guy around. He came up with a controversial piece of legislation which the Governor will sign which negates the electoral college. The proposal says that the electoral college votes of MD will coincide with the National popular vote. He also came up with a proposal which would allow High school seniors who are 16 to pre-register to vote. This would inspire them to be fully registered at the required age of 18. I think he is going to have a very significant political career.

In other news,

I had a conversation with Mayor Fenty today which I want to report which did not get much play. The Mayor after meeting with Josh Bolton the President's Chief of Staff said last week that Bolton told him that he is never to raise the subject of DC voting rights with the President in any future conversation. That's arrogance for you. Fenty accepted this admonition and I could not believe it. Today after prodding by one intrepid journalist he said he would not abide by that instruction. He should have said that last week. In addition, he said that if the House and Senate passed the Bill and the President continued to threaten a veto there should be a march on Lafayette Park. He is finally coming around to this idea. The Mayor who has very good political instincts does need a political advisor on matters of National import. He seems to be lost when the issue needs to be elevated for a National audience.

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Sports fans: Sorry that your radio show was cancelled, but it's good to be able to listen to Mr Tony's entire show now and then switch over to Jonetta's show. Any chance you'll resurface on another station?

Mark Plotkin: I trust you are being facetious. The show has not been cancelled. I repeat not cancelled. We have just embarked on a fascinating and creative marketing program where we change the starting time frequently. That's to keep the audience guessing and in the dark. The show moved to noon and last week it made its debut at 1230. It will stay there I am told forever. As the Tony show, all I can say as my wise Grandmother used to say "There is no accounting for taste." I would like you if you would to call upper management Jim Farley at 202.895.5071 that is his direct dial number and register your deep and profound dismay at the cancellation of this legendary hour. Thank you.

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Wilson Building: Mark, it was Wells and Cheh, not Schwartz and Mendelson, who voted against the Verizon sales tax revenue bond. You must have been thinking of the school governance vote.

Mark Plotkin: Thank you for the correction. Good to have such an intelligent and informed audience. I think I was confusing the two issues. I am fallible and I appreciate the correction.

Upon further review, my able research assistant Mark Segraves immediately looked this up and said I was right according to the Council Web site. I do know that Cheh had problems with this and was preparing to speak against the bill. But thanks for your interest anyways.

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Fenty and Emancipation Day: Mark, I understand Mayor Fenty really has upset several of the long-time civic leaders in the District with his decision to reduce the Emancipation Day events and roll them into the Voting march. Do you have any additional insight into this matter?

Mark Plotkin: Yes there has been criticism of this and there is some merit to that. But I think the coordination with the Voting Rights March is appropriate and necessary. I sure hope that sizable numbers show up on the 16th -- it is a Holiday in the District and people should be seen protesting there colonial status. A bad turn out will hurt the cause and aid and comfort those people who don't think we deserve a place in America's democracy.

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Washington: It appears to me that D.C. representation legislation is floundering in the House of Representatives. Any thoughts about attaching D.C. representation as a rider to budgetary legislation funding the Iraq war? An ironic thought, that representation for D.C. should come with a fight for "democracy" in Baghdad!

Mark Plotkin: I think it will pass the House on the week of the 16th. The trouble is then the Senate and the President has twice threaten to veto the bill. I think the only way this can get passed is to be attached to an essential piece of legislation because as a stand alone it will be filibustered or vetoed. But that is down the road. No prominent Democrat has said what you just said on the Senate floor and this would be a major way of high lighting and elevating the issue. This has to happen or the issue will forever be lost.

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Laurel, Md.: Any chance that the Prince George's County hospitals may not be forced to close?

Mark Plotkin: The Governor has a plan but Jack Johnson the County Executive doesn't go along with it. The state would take over the Hospital and give it the money it needs but the County would have to raise some money too. It doesn't right now the Governor is unable to convince Johnson of his plan and participation. I can't believe they would allow the Hospital to go out of business. It is a $100 million in debt and seriously needs a huge revenue contribution. The Governor has said that if nothing is done the hospital will close this summer.

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Washington: Following up on your Singleton comment: Do you have similarly candid opinions of other candidates for the Ward 4 seat?

Mark Plotkin: Alright I will take up your challenge. Muriel Bowser it seems to me has to project something more than just "She's the Mayor's candidate." Michael Brown needs to be better organized and demonstrate that he is substantive, serious, and not just style. But I need to go out in the Ward and see the candidates in person and in debate before May 1st. And then I will have a better sense and a more informed opinion. How's that for pundit humility?

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Arlington, Va.:"We have just embarked on a fascinating and creative marketing program where we change the starting time frequently. That's to keep the audience guessing and in the dark." And you bought that? Bwa ha haaa. That means they have no spot for you, so you now are filler! That is hilarious. Your ego has got to be the most entertaining thing in the D.C. area.

Mark Plotkin: I am not filler. I am a major peripheral figure and have been such for decades. I was told by the highest echelons of upper management that I was so valuable and such a draw that that's why I am at Washington Post Radio and the alterations made in the time had to do with a symmetry with the previous program (who I still do not know why anyone listens but whom my Grandmother Sophie Rosenthal said 'there is no accounting for taste'.) I hope this tortured explanation will satisfy you and thanks for the kind and complimentary words of praise and affection.

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Chinatown, D.C.: Shame on you Mark Plotkin. You are a shameless shill for Evans and Gray. Abe Pollin never has paid one red cent in property tax on the Verizon Center, nor does he pay for police protection at sporting events. That's a savings of tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, of dollars through the years. I could care less that some overpaid underqualified staffer at city hall has to walk up a flight of stairs to make copies, but I do care that there are no nurses in public schools and no inspectors at DCRA. The city -- including your friends Jack, Vince and Abe -- should get their priorities straight. There is no justification for the District to increase its debt load by floating bonds to pay for Pollin's folly. Enjoy the sky suites, you bought-and-paid-for tool.

Mark Plotkin: I am taking a bit of extra time to respond to the imbecile who offered this question. I suspect it's Mark Segraves who will do anything -- I repeat do anything -- to get his name out in any form. Congrats Segraves. You succeeded.

See you next week, same time, same place.

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